Se e ra h a s a Mo ve me nt
75
should accept the guidance of Islam. The thought of their doom
was a great distress to him.
It transpired, however, that they had just wanted to pick a
quarrel. Acceptance of Islam was the last thing on their minds.
The Prophet talked to them at length, then went away in distress.
According to Ibn Hisham,
“The Prophet returned to his home sad and disillusioned, for
the hopes that he had for his people when they called him had
been dashed. He had seen how far people were from accepting his
message.”
(Tahzeeb Seerat ibn Hisham,
Vol.1, p. 68)
When the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib, lay dying, people came
to him and asked him to settle matters between his nephew and
themselves before he died. “Take an undertaking from him on
our behalf, and one from us on his behalf, so that he should have
nothing to do with us, nor us with him,” they said. AbuTalib called
his nephew, and asked him what he wanted of the people. The
Prophet replied that he just wanted them to testify that there was
none worthy of being worshipped save God, and forsake all other
objects of worship. His people, however, were unwilling to accept
this. When everyone went away, Abu Talib said to his nephew:
“You know, I don’t think it was anything very difficult that you
asked of them.” On hearing his uncle’s words, the Prophet’s hope
soared that perhaps he would accept Islam. “Uncle,” he said, “then
why don’t you testify to the oneness of God, so that I may be able
to intercede for you on the Day of Judgement.” (
Al-Bidayah wan-
Nihayah
). The Prophet was sorely disappointed that his uncle
never accepted Islam.
The dedication with which the Prophet applied himself to his
task was total, all his mental and physical energy being channelled
into it. Not only his time, but his property as well, went into the
furtherance of the Islamic cause. Before the start of his mission,
the Prophet had become quite rich by virtue of his marriage to
the wealthy Khadijah. At the beginning of the Makkan period, the
Quraysh sent ‘Utbah ibn Rabiyah to talk to the Prophet. As Ibn
Kathir explains, he soon found himself being won over, an event
